2013 smart fortwo Model Overview

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In its 15th year, the aging 2013 Smart fortwo is still a puzzling combination of mediocre features without really being the best at anything important. This tiny automobile can take two adults twelve blocks downtown, but not much else is offered for the price. An electric drive option is now available for those worrying about the environment or the price of gasoline going up, but the new worry of finding a plug is very real. In large cities, the Smart fortwo has an advantage when it comes to fitting into tiny parking spaces and navigating in slow-moving traffic, but that advantage might not seem so great when some competitors are now only about a foot longer and offer much more for the price.

New For 2013

The Smart fortwo electric drive enters production. The EV is driven by a 55-kW motor powered by a 17.6 kW-hr lithium-ion battery and has an EPA-rated range of 63 miles in combined city/highway driving. The gasoline Fortwo, meanwhile, receives a minor face-lift to the tune of a new grille, bigger logo, and optional LED daytime running lights. There are also revised side skirts, rear aprons, new wheel options, and paint choices.

Exterior

The 2013 Smart fortwo, just like the previous models, is a great conversation starter. With its total length of 106 inches and a width that would allow driving on some of the wider sidewalks, it is truly as small as an automobile can get. Its fun, immediately noticeable design appeals to some, while others just laugh at it.

In addition to its size, the available contrasting color options for the body panel and the safety cell make the Smart fortwo impossible to ignore. The 2013 model is offered in seven different body colors, and the Passion trim level (both the coupe and the cabriolet) gives the choice of silver or black for the outside of the tridion safety cell. The Pure coupe trim level has a solid roof, while the Passion coupe comes standard with a panoramic roof with sun screen. The top of the line Passion cabriolet boasts a fully automatic convertible top with glass rear window. The soft top is available in black, blue and red at no additional cost. With the addition of six different options for the wheels and five different colors for the interior, this trim level can be personalized to taste. The exterior of the new electric drive is essentially the same as the Passion, although it adds a green color option for the safety cell to make it that much more colorful.

Interior & Cargo

The interior is surprisingly spacious for the driver and a single passenger, even those over six feet can feel that they have enough head and legroom. It gets a little crowded with wider people, but the amount of room is still impressive given the exterior dimensions of the vehicle. The small cargo room, however, is another reason why the 2013 Smart fortwo is still limited to short urban travel. The maximum 12 cubic feet of space cannot hold gear for a week-long camping trip, although the space instantly becomes more usable if the passenger stays at home: the passenger seat folds flat for additional cargo.

The instrument panel with its update in 2011 is still nothing fancy, but it is functional and goes well with the exterior. For those choosing the Smart fortwo for its low initial cost, the Pure coupe is as plain as it gets, the interior comes in plain black. And color options are not the only thing missing in the interior of this trim level: comfort and convenience features are also minimal.

The Passion trim level adds more colorful options and available leather seats. Radio and air-conditioning are standard, as is a rain and light sensor. A style package and a comfort package bring in more features, but these also increase the price, closing the gap between the Smart fortwo and competitors that offer a lot more for the base price. The technology package adds navigation and a surround sound system. Extra gauges in the center-top of the dashboard are added for the electric drive to conveniently keep an eye on the battery levels.

Safety

The first thing everyone questions regarding the Smart fortwo is its safety. However, the engineers at Mercedes-Benz ensure that this tiny vehicle meets the highest safety standards, and crash-testing comes back with the highest results for both front- and side impacts. While it might not give the impression of a safe vehicle, and it can feel a little intimidating to leave the city and try to drive alongside semis on the highway, in reality, driver and passenger protection is comparable to other compact vehicles. In case of an accident, the reinforced, high-strength, tridion safety cell evenly distributes crash energy, and full-size airbags inflate all around. An electronic stability program and anti-lock brakes are standard on every model.

Driving Experience

The 2013 Smart fortwo is still a city car. A 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine powers all trim levels, which is enough for an output of 70 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque, or a satisfactory experience in an urban environment. (The electric drive option is rated for slightly higher numbers.) The five-speed, automated manual transmission takes some getting used to, and the steering wheel shift paddles on the Passion trim level are lost if the cruise control package is added.

This tiny vehicle is capable of cruising on the highway if it must, but it does not offer much comfort. The interior becomes noisy, there is just not enough power to attempt passing, and any crosswind or gusts from larger vehicles give the feeling of vulnerability on the road. However, for the city-dweller often fighting for parking space, the 2013 Smart fortwo can be an option with its immediately recognizable, youthful, modern exterior.

Key Competitors For The 2013 Smart fortwo

2013 smart fortwo Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$12,490

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$6,825

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

3. Dealer Selection

2013 smart fortwo News and Reviews

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